Courtney Hudson
Courtney Hudson is a hospitality and destination management leader with more than 15 years of experience in sales and over seven years specializing in destination management and experiential events. Based in Nashville, she is recognized for combining strategic sales leadership with a people-first approach focused on relationship building, team development, and creating memorable client experiences. Her philosophy centers on the belief that the best business results begin with genuine human connection and meaningful experiences.
Currently serving as Director of Sales at Access, Courtney leads the South-Central sales team across multiple markets including Nashville, Atlanta, Louisville, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Charlotte, and Charleston. In this role, she partners with conferences, conventions, and incentive groups to create immersive destination experiences that combine local culture, logistics, creativity, and flawless execution. She specializes in helping organizations transform events into impactful experiences through strategic planning, production, transportation coordination, onsite execution, and destination expertise.
Before joining Access, Courtney spent more than seven years with PRA Business Events, where she advanced from Regional Sales Manager to Regional Director of Sales for the Mid-South region. Earlier in her career, she held sales leadership positions with BB King's Blues Club and Hard Rock Cafe, developing expertise in live events, corporate entertainment, hospitality sales, and client engagement. Her background working in Nashville entertainment venues helped shape her passion for hospitality, creativity, and high-energy event environments.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, Courtney is deeply invested in mentoring and supporting her team’s growth. She has shared that one of the most rewarding parts of leadership is watching team members succeed in moments they once doubted themselves. Her ability to motivate others, foster trust, and deliver exceptional client experiences has made her a respected leader in the hospitality and destination management industry.
Courtney also remains actively engaged in the Nashville community, serving on a district board focused on supporting downtown initiatives and helping organize fundraising events that reinvest in the city’s Broadway and entertainment districts. With a background in music education studies at Middle Tennessee State University and Volunteer State Community College, she brings creativity, energy, and performance-driven thinking into every aspect of her work. Through her leadership, she continues to create experiences that inspire connection, celebrate community, and leave lasting impressions.
• Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Music Degree
• District Board in Nashville
• District Board in Nashville - Fundraising for Downtown Development
• Annual Fundraising Event for 2nd Avenue and Broadway
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to taking the time and space to truly listen to people. There was someone early in my career who taught me that you always have to take the time to hear people out, listen to them, and meet them where they're at. At the time, I needed someone to do that for me, and I've always, no matter what, given people the space and the time and listened to what they needed. I believe that's what has moved me up in my career, because I do believe it's about the people that you're working with and giving them that time. Being empathetic and meeting people where they're at has been one of the biggest things for me. I also think it's about learning how to give yourself grace along the way, knowing when it's important to stand up for yourself, but also knowing when it's time to be the yes person. There's a time to be the yes person, and then there's a time to stand up for yourself, and learning the difference between the two has been crucial. You've also got to be in a mindset of always cheering others on. You want to continue to hire someone that is better at the job than you are, because that will always let you level up and help you grow alongside of them. When my team does something great that they were worried about, I feel way better about that than I ever did when I did it myself.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to always take the time and space to truly listen to people. A lot of people look at this as weakness when you get emotional on the job, or you're empathetic to people, or you listen and take the time to hear people out. But there was someone early in my career who taught me that you always have to take the time to hear people out, listen to them, and meet them where they're at. I really took that to heart, because at the time, I needed someone to do that for me. I've always, no matter what, given people the space and the time and listened to what they needed. I believe it's about the people that you're working with and giving them that time. Being empathetic and meeting people where they're at is one of the biggest things for me. It was a shift for me, because you grow up thinking that if you do that with people, you're weak, and that's not the case. It's teaching others, teaching other women that it's okay, it's good to give people that time and spend that time.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, don't be afraid to ask all the questions. Don't be afraid to go to every networking event and meet anybody that you possibly can. Don't be afraid to send that email introducing yourself, because you never know. Especially in our industry, you have to know a little bit about everything. Once you do get into the destination management world, you have to give yourself some grace, at least for a year, because you've got to know a little bit about transportation, a little bit about decor, a little bit about off-site events, a little bit about entertainment, tours, all the things. That's a hard thing to jump into and already know. So, it's knowing that that moment where everything clicks will happen, but you have to be patient for it. Know that others are being patient with you, so give yourself grace during that learning curve and be patient, but have the mindset of always learning. I'm still learning - no conference, no event is the same, and that's what makes it fun.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenges in my field right now are similar to what all other industries are feeling - people aren't traveling as often, companies aren't traveling as often. But I feel like in one aspect or another in any industry you're looking at, you're looking at something similar with the economy. But I think people being in person is important, and I don't think that will ever go away, so I'm not too worried about it. On the opportunity side, I see tremendous value in team mentorship and development. When my team does something great that they were worried about, I feel way better about that than I ever did when I did it myself. That's one thing that I love about my job - I don't necessarily do the selling anymore, I have a team that does that, and finding that joy in their success is what makes this work so rewarding.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I'm a very loyal person. Honesty and transparency are extremely important to me. The biggest thing for me is integrity. In my personal life, it's about being helpful to family, to a neighbor. As a woman, I think we put a lot of extra pressure on ourselves. For me, I'm a wife and a mom, too, and no matter what, as a woman, I feel like a lot of us are like, oh my gosh, I can't give 100% anywhere - I can't give 100% to my job, my kid, my husband, my family, all of the things. You get yourself in this mindset just because you can't be perfect at everything, and I think it's just going back to giving yourself that grace and knowing that it's okay. Your 80% could be somebody else's 140, and just kind of thinking along that way. It's about being mindful of your family, or your friends, or whoever you're with, and even if it's by yourself, giving yourself some time. For me, if my phone is there, I'm going to look at it, and I know myself in that sense, so it's being mindful and saying, okay, I'm gonna sit this down, and I'm gonna go to dinner without my phone for the night. It's about being present wherever you are.